For the urban woman
High-heeled
When high gurus of fashion gather at Pragati Maidan, you know that it is that time of the year again when FDCI’s Wills India Fashion Week (WIFW) is back with its Show ‘n’ Tell.
The fashion frenzy crowds gathered for the opening of WIFW Spring Summer 2013, which was without Bollywood presence (to the utter dismay of many) for a change. The sheer show of extravagant garments though received mixed response.
As the viewer tried to grab a seat, Sunil Sethi, President FDCI calmed the shutterbugs and warmly received the good wishes. As the lights were put off and ramp lit, the ‘Gypsy met Glamour’ with debutant Payal Pratap’s show.
Inspired by mirror work and weaves of Kutch, Payal’s collection kicked off the WIFW 2013 on a high note. The adrenaline levels were pushed up as models walked the ramp in brightly coloured ensembles which comprised voluminous skirts and corset tops stitched using light weight tussar, chanderi, cotton silk and net.
The gypsy gilets in angarkha necklines stole the show. Payal says, “Gujarat was my inspiration but I wanted to style it differently for an urban woman. The colour palette goes well with our skin tone and there is a transparency in the collection with fabrics like chanderi which had covered silhouettes in backless, making it very feminine.”
The legend of Taramati took to the stage next. The collection inspired by the coutesan has been created by Anand Kabra. His collection highlights use of malkha, cotton, lightweight silk, georgettes, chiffons and the colour scheme includes lime and gold. It also has royal blue, ivory white, kohl black and red in it. For the designer feels “Less is more!”
The first day also saw designs by Atsu Shekose, who collaborated with Ministry of Textiles to present his collection from the Northeast.
He developed weaves from Nagaland, Assam and Mizoram, as also coming up with new fabrics which are commercially viable. The garments were influenced by sportswear and the collection included jackets, shorts, skirts and trousers.
It was when model Carol Gracias opened the show for Paras and Shalini's Geigha Designs that the buzz travelled in the audience, for they could relate to the popular face.
Surily’s show began with neon lights and showcased an interesting affair of recurrent themes of strong, sexy and edgy which came together as Sarah Jane Diaz walked the ramp as show stopper in a soft blue gown with geometric patterns.
Evening progressed and fashion touched new heights with Wendell Rodricks show where the designer transported his audience to an island of dreams, romance and music. The Goan love songs formed the backdrop when Jesse Randhawa opened the show in a silver sequined bikini top and kashti. There was more with Dutch Fashion Here and Now which had designers like Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna and Suneet Verma presenting their fashionable art with Dutch designers. The show was unexpectedly long for normal viewers but had an amazing variety of designs. What else could have been expected with such a unique collaboration?
